Featured School
The English School – Kuwait: confidence, empathy, integrity & respect
Kuwait may not be as well known by teaching professionals looking to work abroad as other parts of the Middle East region. However, teachers in schools in Kuwait often stay for many years, and a good number return after stints in other schools around the globe. There is just something quite magical and magnetic about the country.
One particular gem in Kuwait is The English School( TES), which was established in 1953. The school has been transforming the lives of students for the past 63 years.
The Headmaster, Kieron Peacock, is a member of The Independent Association of Prep Schools( IAPS) and boasts an extensive career in education.
Under his leadership, TES remains a prominent and outstanding school, which currently has 620 pupils, 45 British qualified teaching staff, 5 Arabic teachers, 2 swimming coaches, 17 learning support assistants and another 30 + administration, security and maintenance staff – who all, together with an excellent PA and parent body, gel together in creating a strong sense of family throughout the whole school community.
“ At TES, our teachers average 5 years of service and so many will obviously do more than that. A significant number of the wider team have been at the school for well over a decade,” stated Headmaster Kieron. The school recruits high quality, ambitious and talented teaching staff with the aim to deliver the very best standards and to keep abreast of the changes in education.
When asked about the recruitment process and securing the best staff, he shared the following:
1. Early advertising and recruitment are pivotal to the continued successful employment of high quality teachers. When teachers return after the winter break in January they must either sign their contract and commit to another academic year or tender their resignation.
2. This early‘ notice’ then allows the Headmaster to advertise locally and internationally. The school’ s reputation in Kuwait and the region ensures that there is real interest in any teaching vacancies.
3. When you add into the mix applicants from further afield and the UK, often from fellow IAPS schools, the current recruitment strategies are undoubtedly working effectively.
A top recruitment tip from Headmaster Kieron and mindset has to be,‘ When you lose a great teacher, go out and employ an even better one!’
A proud not for profit school, TES’ business model has allowed a gradual increase in staffing over the last few years and further investment in facilities. Of note, in June 2017, the school’ s next building project will commence on a state of the art science and technology centre, facilitated by the school’ s incredibly supportive and generous Kuwaiti Sponsor.
“ We follow the UK prep school model catering for pupils from 2 ½ to 13 years of age,” continues Headmaster Kieron,“ rather uniquely in the region almost 50 % of the school’ s pupils are British with almost 75 % being native English speakers. The English National Curriculum and Early Years and Foundation Stage Framework are our school’ s academic anchor, and places are highly sought after.”
It is not surprising, that in schools such as TES, academic success and excellence are almost a given. Academic rigour sets the stage for the work that is done throughout the school. In their recent inspection
28 | Nov- Dec 2016 | | Class Time